Convert rent check into an automatic investment, Marjorie!

There’s a day in January when everyone wakes up. After weeks of holiday hustle and bustle, travel, family visits, and an overall blur of activity, the new year arrives with its usual mix of resolution, optimism, and responsibility. People start looking at calendars again. The to-do list will reappear. And therein lies something that many tenants didn’t think much about in December: lease renewals.

Winter updates are more important than most people realize. This is the time of year when there are few tenants moving. The weather is unpredictable and schedules are tight, but most people are trying to regain their footing after the holidays. Because of this, renewal conversations tend to be more productive and more grounded.

Many landlords consider spring and summer to be the core of the rental season, and while they are arguably the most common times for move-ins, winter renewals also have their own importance. Timely updates do more than just keep your unit occupied. This provides predictability for the year ahead, strengthens relationships, and reduces expensive sales that small landowners want to avoid.

In my experience, tenants who would be hesitant at other times are often relieved to secure housing before spring and summer pressures begin. Uncertainty is one of the main causes of unnecessary turnover. When tenants don’t hear from their landlord, they often take a “just in case” look at the property or ask friends about other options. Once the door is open, it can be difficult to close it. By starting the renewal process early, you can entrench your tenant before doubts creep in.

Tenants often make clearer decisions in January than in November or December. During the holidays, people get distracted and stretched thin. Emails are skimmed and not absorbed. And anything related to planning is often postponed until “after the new year.” When tenants return in January, they will have a better understanding of their plans, budgets and needs over the coming months. This makes it much easier to start or restart a renewal conversation.

The practical reality is that most tenants don’t want to move in the winter. Who wants to move furniture across icy sidewalks or deal with last-minute moving delays due to storms? January isn’t just about the weather, it’s also the time when people fix their finances, file paperwork, and settle into their daily lives. The idea of ​​mass migration just doesn’t apply. Landlords can take advantage of this natural resistance to create a smoother, more collaborative renewal process.

One thing I have learned over the years is that clarity is the best tool a landlord has. Tenants don’t need long explanations, legal jargon, or complicated attachments. They just want to know what’s next.

• Will the conditions change?
• If so, how?
• What does their timeline look like?
• Will the landlord consider other terms?

  A concise and well-planned renewal offer does two things. First, demonstrate transparency and build trust. Second, it helps you stay focused and productive in your conversations. When tenants understand exactly what you are proposing, there is less back-and-forth and misunderstandings, and you can sign the contract faster.

Tenants are more receptive when they feel they are being treated fairly and openly. If there is a rent adjustment, tenants can understand by briefly explaining the reasons behind it, such as increased operating costs, major maintenance completed during their stay, or market adjustments.

Lease renewals are moments of connection. The best relationships between landlords and tenants are built over time through small interactions, transparency, and mutual respect. The renewal season is an opportunity to strengthen that.

Simply thanking the tenant for taking good care of the home and paying on time can make a positive impression. Even a brief thank you shows them that you see them not as a lease term, but as a partner in maintaining the property. These actions cost little, but create a sense of goodwill through maintenance requests, policy reminders, and daily communication.

Many landlords underestimate how much their tenants value being treated as individuals rather than an account number. Thoughtful, personal attention during the renewal process will make your tenants feel acknowledged and more likely to want to stay.

Renewals are a natural moment to not only secure your next term lease, but also to check on the overall health of your property and tenant experience. January offers a quiet space to step back and ask: What’s next?

• Are there any maintenance concerns that the tenant has not yet mentioned or that have not been fully resolved?
• Does the facility have deadlines for upgrades or preventative work?
• Are there any responsibilities or expectations worth revisiting?

These conversations don’t have to be long or formal, but they can help prevent small problems one year from becoming big problems the next. Tenants who feel heard are more likely to value their home, communicate proactively, and renew again in the future.

Homeowners need to maintain their structures and protect their assets, but a little flexibility can go a long way in the renewal process. Tenants often rebalance their budgets after holiday spending. Providing a digital signature, making a quick phone call to clarify terms, being flexible, and allowing a few extra days before making a decision can reduce stress without compromising the landlord’s position.

Flexibility is about recognizing human reality. Most tenants appreciate being treated with patience and professionalism, and often reward that consideration with quick decisions and smooth communication. There are many reasons why year-round updates may not match your plans. This is a win-win solution as renewal terms can be developed that both parties can agree on.

For landlords, especially small landlords, stability is the foundation of successful real estate investing. Having a property vacant, even for a short period of time, costs more than most people realize. There are marketing costs, cleaning, repairs, lost rent, and an unpredictable schedule to find a suitable new tenant. In contrast, securing renewals with existing, reliable tenants protects cash flow, reduces risk, and creates predictability in planning.

If the January update is handled well, this stability will be achieved at the beginning of the year. They provide homeowners with a clear roadmap for budgeting, maintenance scheduling, and forecasting. It also gives tenants peace of mind that they know exactly where they stand, reducing stress on both parties.

While a lease renewal may seem like a blip in the life of a property, it actually defines the experience for the year ahead. When the process is organized, honest, and respectful, it creates an atmosphere in which all interactions continue until the next renewal date.

January is the time to consider this approach. The pace is slower, thinking is clearer, and both landlords and tenants are ready to enter the year with more intention. Thoughtful updates pave the way for a smoother, quieter and more predictable 12 months, something every landlord and every tenant can appreciate.

Scott Bloom He is the owner and senior property manager of Columbia Property Management.